Room escape games

Room escape games are one of my favorite types of game. There's something magical about the step by step challenge of working out how to escape the room... or gallery... or phonebooth.

The screen is usually still; no bouncing balls or bursts of applause. Just you, the picture in front of you, the mouse - and your overworked brain!

All fab stuff.

Features of room escape games

The goal is clear - find freedom! Of course, half of the game's enjoyment comes from the fact that you don't have a clue how to get out - but that feeling of sweet success is yours if you're clever enough! So - what can you expect from this kind of game?

• There may be an introduction to the game, setting the scene and telling you how you ended up in this mess!
• You may have a time limit - but in other games you can puzzle away as long as you want.
• You need to find hidden objects. A key, a video tape, a screwdriver, a phone number written on a scrap of paper.
• You can use the objects to help you find other objects, open doors or release new clues
• Clicking to the left/right or top/bottom of the game scene may show you another view of the room
• Text comments may or may not give you a hint or two!

Essential skills

If you hate lots of pointing and clicking, room escape games are not for you. These games require an awful lot of clicking about the screen, as some objects are hidden so well that only pointing on the exact spot will reveal what's there.

Clicking may also reveal hotspots on the scene - taking you to another room or giving you more info. But if you don't click - you'll remain blissfully ignorant of them.

Logical thinking may also help. But this is debatable :) No - really, a logical brain can help. I just wish I had one!